I Am Canadian! So saith G1

Well I got my preChristmas wish for snow a couple of days after that day. And it was wonderful! About a week or ten days of wonderful. But yesterday things took a turn. Big warm thirsty winds carrying us about the freezing mark are sweeping through and icicles began dripping yesterday and the white stuff on the ground is disappearing.But Monday and Tuesday after school has been fun. The boys preferred playing in their own front yard rather than the park. The weather was the perfect chill. Some people may think of perfect chill when talking of fine wines. Me? When its crisp enough to play outside in fresh air and cheeks turn that lovely pink and tunnels, forts, and igloos are all that occupy busy young minds.

When I picked up the children from school Monday G1 was not wearing his gloves. They are in my bag he said, too wet to wear. On arrival home there was no consideration of coming into the house. First on the agenda was about an hour of play, romping, jumping, sliding, imaginations afire of great conquests.

I will go into the house and get you dry gloves I told G2. And then he said – Okay Grandma but if you don’t its okay. Do you know why?

Well I could not think of an answer. Who wouldn’t want warm dry hands?

Do you know why I said that Grandma, he asked again.

Because I AM CANADIAN. I am Canadian grandma and do you know what that means?

No, said I wondering where all this was going.

I AM CANADIAN and that means I don’t really need gloves in snow. Because I AM CANADIAN do you know I could be out here playing naked and it wouldn’t bother me.

I didn’t ask. All I thought was how much pride he had in saying it. Obviously he believes Canadians are a heartier sort of people than others. Good for him.

Me? The only time I have uttered those words with such glowing pride – I am sad to say – is when I am ordering beer!